2013 Honda Fit EV (pictures)

CNET got its first chance to drive the new electric car from Honda, based on its compact Fit model.

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In an effort to meet increasingly stringent average fuel economy standards and comply with California's Zero Emission Vehicle mandate, Honda developed an electric car based on its Fit compact.
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Honda significantly modified the chassis of the Fit to accomodate a flat battery pack, capable of storing 20 kilowatt-hours of electricity, underneath the passenger compartment. That modification raised the car 1.5 inches, but results in good weight distribution.
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Because of the changed configuration of the chassis, Honda had to do away with the Magic Seats found in the standard Fit. In the Fit EV, the rear seats still fold down, but do not create a flat cargo floor.
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Another change to the Fit platform was the replacement of the rear torsion bar suspension with a multilink suspension. Honda made this change to accommodate the battery pack, but it results in a better-handling car.
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Similar to most electric cars, Honda uses manually adjustable seats in the Fit EV. Seats and interior surfaces are covered with a sustainable material left over from sugarcane refining.
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The instrument cluster is composed of a power-use gauge on the left, digital speed and range in the middle, and a big, analog gauge showing the battery level on the right. The center display also shows driving efficiency.
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In addition to Honda's standard infotainment features, the navigation system includes some EV specific screens. This one shows the range of the Fit EV superimposed on the map, making trip planning easier.
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